2013 Ascot Handicap Nominations – Queensland Cup Day

The major support race on Queensland Cup Day at Eagle Farm on Saturday will be the Ascot Handicap2013, nominations for which currently feature a strong line-up of 19 sprinters.

Delago Bolt is one of the top-rated nominees for the 2013 Ascot Handicap this weekend. Photo: Daniel Costello.

There’s plenty of talent among the early entries for this year’s $80,000 Listed Ascot Handicap (1200m) which has over the years produced a handy sprinter or two going into the more lucrative short distance races of the Sydney and Melbourne spring carnivals.

One of the top-rated nominees this year is the James Lyons-trained Delago Bolt.

The Deagon-based six-year-old Delago Brom gelding has been in hot form this Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.

After a narrow first-up win at Doomben they finished second to Howmuchdoyouloveme in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm.

They backed up a fortnight later to run third to the same horse this time beaten only a length in the Group 3 W.J Healy Stakes (1200m).

It could finally be there time to shine over the same track and distance this Saturday with Howmuchdoyouloveme not among the Ascot Handicap nominations.

Another headliner coming off some nice recent form is Sue Grills’ veteran Johannesburg gelding Border Rebel.

Trained in Tamworth the rising eight-year-old was a close third to Satin Shoes two back at Scone in the Ortensia Stakes before their last start fourth to Galah in the Group 2 QTC Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm a month back.

Also coming via the QTC Cup is the Rob Heathcote-trained Griffon who was third before their failure in the WJ Healy beating home just one other runner when 10th.

Grills meanwhile has also nominate for Usain Prince.

Other notable hopes then include the Desleigh Forster-trained Adebisi, WJ Healy fifth placed Liesele and the Tony Gollan-trained Listen Son.

See below for the Ascot Handicap 2013 nominations with the final field and barrier draw to be released on Wednesday and published right here at Races.com.au.

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